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Behind a three-run third inning and a five-run eighth, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 10-4 on Saturday night at Newman Outdoor Field in front of 3,406 fans.

Frank Salerno put the RedHawks on the scoreboard with a loud crack of the bat. The very first pitch he saw from Joe Bircher to lead off the first inning was sent for a ride over the left field wall for the first home run of his professional career, giving the ‘Hawks an early 1-0 lead.

However, that lead did not least more than three outs, as Chris Duffy led off the second inning in a similar fashion for the Canaries. The very first pitch he saw from Brian Ernst ended up in almost the same location as Salerno’s home run for a solo homer of his own, tying the game at 1-1.

The RedHawks took their lead back in the bottom of that inning, when Travis Higgs opened up the inning with a double, and Zach Penprase’s base hit to the right field plated Higgs for a 2-1 lead.

Without an answer from the Canaries, the Fargo-Moorhead’s line-up piled on three runs in the bottom of the third. Salerno continued a good night with another lead-off base hit, this time a double. With one man out, Nic Jackson took a pitch to hit elbow, and a fielder’s choice for C.J. Retherford allowed Salerno to score (safe at home on an error by a shortstop, while Retherford reached on a fielder’s choice). Back-to-back-to-back hits by Brandon Tripp (one RBI), Travis Higgs (another RBI) and Michael Thompson changed the score to 5-1 for the ‘Hawks.

The answer from the visitor came in the top of the eighth.  Just like the RedHawks, the Canaries got three runs across. Duffy drew a one-out walk, and so did Carlos Mendez. Chris Valencia’s double scored Duffy for the second run for Sioux Falls. Stephen Branca’s 6-3 putout brought in Mendez for the third run, and the fourth run was plated by Sam Lind. After the top of the eight, the RedHawks were holding on to 5-4 lead.

Fargo-Moorhead answered right back in the bottom of the eighth, when the RedHawks put up a five-spot. Tripp drew a walk, and Higgs then reached on a fielder’s choice. Michael Thompson’s double put runners on second and third and scored Tripp. Penprase’s intentional walk loaded the bases, which meant Anthony Kaskadden’s walk brought in Higgs. Next up was Salerno, who already had a home run and two doubles on the night, and he doubled once again to clear the bases, which brought in three. Ronnie Bourquin came through with a single up the middle, scoring the Fargo-Moorhead’s 10^th run. That made it the final, 10-4 RedHawks.

Third game of the four-game series is scheduled for tomorrow at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased at (701) 235-6161 or www.fmredhawks.com.